Rahul Dravid: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Can Give Test Cricket an Exciting Future

Rahul Dravid believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could have an exciting future in Test cricket but has urged patience as the 15-year-old develops his red-ball skills. Sooryavanshi is set to represent East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, giving him an opportunity to gain valuable experience in domestic first-class cricket. Dravid, who worked with the youngster during his time at Rajasthan Royals, believes balancing white-ball opportunities with regular red-ball cricket will be important for his long-term development.

Sooryavanshi has made a rapid impression in white-ball cricket, but his first-class career remains at an early stage. He has played only eight first-class matches and currently averages 17.25. Dravid believes the teenager needs more opportunities to play longer-format cricket rather than being exposed only to T20 competitions. The Duleep Trophy is expected to provide an important platform for him to build consistency and learn how to handle the different demands of red-ball cricket.

The transition from T20 cricket to first-class cricket will require Sooryavanshi to develop several aspects of his game. While his aggressive strokeplay has already attracted attention, the longer format will test his ability to construct innings, manage pressure and maintain concentration for extended periods. More opportunities in domestic cricket could help him develop those skills gradually. India A's two unofficial Tests against Australia A in September could also provide another potential opportunity for him to gain red-ball experience.

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Dravid stressed that Sooryavanshi's development should not be rushed because he is still only 15. The former India captain acknowledged that the teenager has enjoyed early success but will inevitably experience difficult periods as his career progresses. He believes coaches, selectors and fans should give him enough time to learn from those setbacks rather than judging him solely on immediate performances. Regular exposure to domestic cricket, according to Dravid, can help the youngster establish the foundation required for a potential all-format career.

The former India captain also linked Sooryavanshi's development to the wider future of Test cricket. With T20 leagues continuing to attract players around the world, Test cricket needs young cricketers who are willing and capable of playing across formats. Dravid believes Sooryavanshi's decision to spend time in India's red-ball domestic competition rather than constantly pursuing T20 opportunities is a positive step. Developing multi-format players could help strengthen the longest format of the game in the years ahead.

For now, an India Test debut remains a distant possibility rather than an immediate target, and Sooryavanshi's priority is to gain experience in domestic cricket. His upcoming Duleep Trophy campaign will offer another chance to adapt to the demands of first-class cricket and improve his red-ball skills. If he can successfully make that transition over time, Dravid believes the youngster could eventually become an exciting addition to India's Test setup and give the longest format another promising multi-format cricketer.

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